There is a “growing restlessness” over foreigners, particularly some work pass holders, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday (29 Aug), noting that Singapore will enshrine the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) guidelines in law.
Delivering his English speech at the National Day Rally earlier today, PM Lee noted that there is a “growing restlessness” over foreigners, particularly some work pass holders.
He noted that the “unhappiness” towards work pass holders has already existed before the pandemic occurred, but economic uncertainty has just intensified it.
The Prime Minister believes that the government has to provide assurances to Singaporeans that Employment Pass and S Pass holders are of the right standard, adding that the criteria to issue such passes must be further tightened.
PM Lee also acknowledged that though most companies follow the rules of fair hiring, there are a few companies that have not been fair employers.
“They hire from their own countries, using familiar links and old boys’ networks, rather than openly on merit,” he remarked.
In his speech, PM Lee also announced that the TAFEP guidelines will be enshrined in law to tackle workplace discrimination more effectively.
He revealed that the government has received repeated requests to toughen up the TAFEP over the years, especially from the Labour Movement and National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) Members of Parliament who have pushed for anti-discrimination laws with penalties.
The government has held back because they did not want the process to become legalistic or confrontational, said PM Lee, adding that the government believed that it is better to resolve disputes amicably through persuasion or mediation.
But after consulting the tripartite partners, the Prime Minister said that the government has decided to enshrine TAFEP guidelines in law, giving them “more teeth”.
According to PM Lee, conciliation and mediation are attempted first, and if they fail, it will go before an Employment Claims Tribunal.
He added that a similar tribunal will be created to deal with workplace discrimination.
“Writing TAFEP guidelines into the law is a major move. It signals that we do not tolerate discrimination at workplaces,” said PM Lee.
